Death Toll in Niger State Petrol Tanker Explosion Reaches 98

The death toll from Saturday’s petrol tanker explosion in Niger State has risen to 98. Sixty-nine people were injured, and 20 shops were destroyed in the fire. The explosion occurred on Dikko-Maje Road in Suleja Local Government Area after a speeding tanker overturned and spilled fuel.

Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said the fire began during an attempt to transfer fuel from the tanker using a generator. The spilled petrol ignited, causing a massive explosion.

Many victims were bystanders or people trying to scoop fuel. Some rescuers were also caught in the fire. Kumar Tsukwam, the state’s Federal Road Safety Commander, said over 50 people died instantly at the scene.

More deaths have been recorded from the fire incident. The latest figure is now 98 deaths, 69 injured and 20 shops burnt down”, Baba-Arah told PUNCH.

The injured were reportedly taken to hospitals in Suleja and Sabon-Wuse. Seven people from Suleja and three from Sabon-Wuse later died from severe burns. Ten patients have been moved to specialist hospitals in Abuja, while some have been discharged. The state government has pledged to pay medical bills for the injured. The Federal Government stated it will also cover the treatment of those referred to Abuja.

Rising petrol prices, caused by subsidy removal, have worsened economic hardship in Nigeria. This has contributed to the rise in dangerous practices like scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

Similar incidents are frequent in Nigeria. Last October, over 90 people died in a tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Jigawa State under similar circumstances. The Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Police Command, DSP Lawan Adam, had explained that the explosion was triggered by locals who rushed to the scene to collect fuel from the overturned tanker.

Emergency agencies, including NSEMA and NEMA, have warned residents against scooping fuel and urged them to prioritise safety. Recovery efforts are still ongoing at the scene.

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